Current patterns and utilization of high-end antibiotic in the pediatric population: A comprehensive evaluation

Antibiotics are essential for managing bacterial infections, but the increasing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) necessitates their prudent use through restricted antibiotic policies and antimicrobial stewardship programs. This study analyzed the utilization of high-end antibiotics in pediatric patients at Tertiary Care Hospital, Hyderabad, over six months (July 2023 to January 2023). Patient data, categorized by age, revealed a higher prevalence of antibiotic use in infants and children aged 0–12 years, with a slight male predominance. Meropenem was identified as the most frequently used restricted antibiotic, administered primarily via the intravenous route. Commonly prescribed alternative antibiotics included penicillins and cephalosporins. Elevated C-reactive protein levels were a notable finding in culture reports, which also highlighted diverse microbial strains with generally low susceptibility rates. Statistical analysis using IBM SPSS indicated a positive correlation between the use of alternative and restricted antibiotics. These findings emphasize the critical role of antimicrobial stewardship programs, interdisciplinary collaboration, the implementation of restricted antibiotic justification forms, and continuous surveillance to optimize antibiotic use and address resistance in pediatric care.